The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-07-09

and thriving city occupying this bend of the
river, whose influence should control public
opinion in its vicinity in favor of the patri-
-archal institution. Town lots already were
held at lofty rates, and when one assembled
the bluffs and beheld the magnificent
stretch of river and field, twelve miles up
and down, it seemed that any price at all
could never be too great with this wonder
full landscape always in view. II the oppo-
site Kansas shore was the Canaan flowing
with milk and honey, as its Northern advo-
Gates were fond Of saying, it seemed suffi-
-cient to the inhabitants on the hither side
to enjoy the prospect beyond the swelling
flood without an attempt to occupy and en-
counter the Analeks they were sure to find
in their path.
My father, who was the leading physician
in this pioneer hamlet, was among its first
settlers. Born in Virginia, he had no anti
slavery prejudices; yet he felt the system
to be detrimental to the white race Be-
fore coming West he had emancipated
himself by disposing Of his negroes, reserv-
ing only couple of house servants. Even
this shade of disapproval in the then state
OF public feeling, was construed into hos
tile sentiment. An outspoken declaration
against secession on the part Of the South
ern States, in the interest Of slavery, made
him almost an outlaw.
On certain spring morning this remote
spot was astir with the reverberation of
the guns OF Fort Molltrie. Now, there
could no longer be any doubt where my
father stood, He declared Internationally
for the Union. Our house had what many
OF the ruder structures had not-a commo.
dious cellar--and here at night knots of
Union men held their secret meetings, each
vending his way by separate path up and
around the bluffs to divert suspicion-the
incipient Home Guards Of Missouri. There
was an underlined dread in the air which
denoted On uprising even among those who
had long been friends and neighbors.
When at last Governor jackson disclosed
his true attitude and called upon the State
militia to repel the invasion of the Federal
troops, the pent-up feeling found express
sion in wild speeches from the inconsider-
ate Of both parties.
Lyon was preparing to move against JEFF.
ferson City, and recruiting officers were
busy mastering troops for both sides of the
conflict all over the State. Lawlessness,
happily unknown to the older border States,
was already rampant-born OF the free,
frontier spirit which is always ready fol-
reckless daring and adventure.
Our house stood upon an elevation, and
in the ravine below wound the main road OF
OF the outlying country. Not day passed
that we did not see squads OF horsemer
gallOping along the dusty road, but whethe,
rebel, or loyal, none could tell, for at that
time all were In citizens dress. The feel
ing of insecurity concerning the negroes
was increasing, and day after day saw itt
loads OF slave property carried farther
south into the cotton States, forit was ther
! thought that all the battles would be fought
ON Northern soil.
Our household consisted beside the serv
ants, OF only my father, my sister Jane anc
myself. Among the suitors for the hand OF
my sister was Richard Kirby, young
bold, daring Carolinian. In physique he
was the perfection OF manly vigor, hand
somo and courteous in bearing; and d
warm partisan In favor of secession. Be
tween my mild, quiet sister and himself
the very opposites OF each other, my father
had deprecated the growing attachment
and my sister, won though she was by hel
lovers dashing ways and ardent affection